Osteogenesis Modulation: Induction of Mandibular Bone Growth in Adults by Electrical Field for Aesthetic Purposes

BACKGROUND: A new technique in plastic surgery termed Osteogenesis Modulation is described. This technique uses a surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device to deliver customized electrical pulses to produce mandibular bone growth. This device was designed to be a temporary, nonpermanent implant. The purpose of this study was to review both the safety and efficacy of Osteogenesis Modulation. METHODS: This study comprises two phases. Phase I involved experimental technology development and animal experiments. Phase II included technology development for clinical use and a clinical trial. In Phase II, four patients with a diagnosis of mandibular hypoplasia and microgenia underwent surgical implantation of the novel medical device over the chin bone. Once a satisfactory change of contour of mandibular bone was achieved, the devices were removed. In all patients, the devices were left in place for 12 months, then surgically removed under local anesthesia. Preoperative and long-term postoperative cephalometric controls were done. RESULTS: In all patients, symmetrical mandibular bone growth was observed with good-to-excellent aesthetic results. The overall follow-up period was 39 months. Cephalometric controls taken 3 to 6 months after the device removal showed an average increase in mandible length of 5.26mm (range, 2.83–7.60mm) CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary clinical results suggest that Osteogenesis Modulation is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective alternative treatment for the correction of mandibular hypoplasia in selected cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.